Tag Archives: tennis shoe

Ryan McIntosh, a member of the US Army, is doing more with one tennis shoe than most of us could dream of.

I have always had mixed feelings about war but no matter what war we are fighting, I have always supported the US Military. The men and women who sacrifice their lives for my freedom are people I look up to; people who do what I would never have the courage to.

Ryan McIntosh lost his leg in December of 2010 in Afghanistan when he stepped on a land mine but has come a long way in his fight for normalcy and is now a US Open ballperson.

“My big picture is just to honor those guys who have been injured just like I was and say, ‘You guys can still do anything you want, ` ” McIntosh told SunHerald.com. Although his goal is to reach out to those in similar situations as himself, he wants to remain unnoticed to the rest of the world. “I’m just a ballperson when I’m here,” he said. “It’s the same when I’m in the Army. I’m just a specialist. I’m not anything special. I don’t consider myself a wounded warrior. When I have my uniform on, you cannot tell. And that’s kind of my biggest goal here, too.”

Even more amazing is the fact that McIntosh`s son was born just shy over four months after his accident which was his main inspiration to get back up. “When I was growing up, my dad was always my coach, always right by my side. That’s what I want to do with my son,” McIntosh said.

A part of me wants to look at the sadness of the situation but after reading his story and seeing his positivity, I can`t help but smile.